They're bubbles of tissue filled with viscous fluid that sit on bones, mostly joints, that prevent friction at points where ligaments, tendons and muscles glide against the bone. Bursitis is when the sac becomes inflamed or leaks and deflates. Infections are painful, but can be treated. If there is a fault in the sac membrane, the condition can get chronic. The surgery is usually to remove scar tissue, repair the leak or reposition or remove the the sac, then rest and treatment with corticosteroids or NSAIDS. If they have removed the sac, Peyton could have a shortened career as this can get chronic and make him far less mobile. I don't see how this won't affect the speed he sets up with in the pocket. It's a half second or so more if it begins to bother him again. It could also affect his throwing motion. He just took a fantasy hit, I think. People who lead ordinary lives can just deal with the inconvenience and ease off on their golf or tennis. Football plays ain't ordinary.

After wide receiver Marvin Harrison's on-going issues with his knee last year, Colts fans (and fantasy football junkies) have to be a little skittish about what the team reveals about Peyton Manning's bursa sac surgery to his left knee last Monday. Their medical staff expects Manning to have "a full and complete return to action in four to six weeks," and that Manning should be available for the opener.

Of course, those burnt on the Colts overly optimistic estimates of Harrison's return approach this sort of talk with skepticism.

The Colts have said only generalized information about the surgery, and haven't said whether Manning's surgery was done openly or arthoscopically, or which bursa sac was removed. This semi-disgusting article about bursa sac removal suggests that someone should allow 6 to 8 weeks for healing, and that rest is an important part of the recovery.

The backup quarterbacks for the Colts are Jim Sorgi, last year's practice squader Josh Betts, and San Jose State rookie free agent Adam Tafralis. The Indy Star has a nice post-surgery Q&A about the Colts' options here, including the statement that the Colts aren't intending to get more quarterback help, but that they might consider it after Colts president Bill Polian meets with coach Tony Dungy next week.

Paul Kuharsky at Hashmarks did a interesting interview with ex-Colt receiver Brandon Stokely to talk about what Peyton Manning means to the Colts, including talking of Sorgi as a replacement:

Sorgi is a very capable quarterback. But with what the Colts do, what the Colts ask of Peyton, you can't replace him back there. He is so involved in the offense, with all the checks that they do, he's irreplaceable. He will definitely be missed for the preseason. Without him back there, it's night and day offensively.

You think? I'm half surprised he didn't go all Venkman and talk of a Manning-less Colts as "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria."

Stokely goes on to say that Manning doesn't even like to miss a rep of practice, so I am guessing recovering from a surgery that needs rest for part of his recovery will be difficult.

This isn't the first time Manning has had a bursa sac problem in his knee. He was hospitalized for an infection of the bursa sac in his right knee before he played in the 1997 Orange Bowl in a 42-17 loss to Nebraska.

This isn't the first time Manning has had a bursa sac problem in his knee. He was hospitalized for an infection of the bursa sac in his right knee before he played in the 1997 Orange Bowl in a 42-17 loss to Nebraska.

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If it gets chronic, and at his age it can, he's in trouble. Structurally it isn't catastrophic, but once bursitis begins, repetitive use eventually cripples with pain alone. Numbing the area will eventually cause complications. You can get away with that approach for the very short term, but not at length.

If it gets chronic, and at his age it can, he's in trouble. Structurally it isn't catastrophic, but once bursitis begins, repetitive use eventually cripples with pain alone. Numbing the area will eventually cause complications. You can get away with that approach for the very short term, but not at length.